Individual Matchups To Watch (Week 13)

<p>The regular season is coming to a close shortly, with this being one of the last full weeks of basketball before the playoffs start. I’ll be taking a look at five individual player matchups to keep an eye on across the state this week!</p> <p><strong>Tuesday: [player_tooltip player_id="1043748" first="Ethan" last="Wall-Atim"] (Notre Dame) vs [player_tooltip player_id="1193234" first="Will" last="Hornseth"] (De Pere)</strong></p> <p>It’s a battle down low tonight as 6’5 [player_tooltip player_id="1043748" first="Ethan" last="Wall-Atim"] squares off with 6’8 [player_tooltip player_id="1193234" first="Will" last="Hornseth"]. Wall-Atim is having a breakout season for Notre Dame, as he’s a physical presence down low with solid footwork and touch with either hand around the basket. His size and physicality on the defensive end has helped Notre Dame reach a 16-4 record, and they sit right behind De Pere at #2 in the conference. [player_tooltip player_id="1193234" first="Will" last="Hornseth"] has loads of potential as one of the top young bigs in the state. At 6’8 he’s a lot more than height as he moves so well at his size and has the explosiveness to block shots or finish above the rim. Hornseth runs the floor hard, can score with his back to the basket, and can occasionally step out and hit the open jumper. Averaging 16.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this year for one of the state’s top teams.</p> <p><strong>Tuesday: [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"] (Wauwatosa East) vs [player_tooltip player_id="801148" first="Andrew" last="Rohde"] (Brookfield Central)</strong></p> <p>Two of the top seniors in the state go head-to-head tonight. [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"] is a freak athlete with plenty of length and defensive versatility. His offensive game has consistently improved, and he’s now scoring 20 ppg using his mid-range jumper and explosive finishing ability to score over the top of defenders. With his defensive ability, he’ll likely be tasked with trying to slow down [player_tooltip player_id="801148" first="Andrew" last="Rohde"]. Now listed at 6’7, Andrew is an incredibly long guard with a great feel for the game and deep shooting range. His ability to create off the dribble has improved, as he’s now a dangerous isolation scorer or catch-and-shoot threat. If you don’t keep a hand up on him, he’s not afraid to pull up for a jumper right in your face. He’s putting up video game numbers this year with averages of 29.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game as a senior.</p> <p><strong>Thursday: [player_tooltip player_id="1138463" first="Demarion" last="Burch"] (Milwaukee Hamilton) vs Abdulah Konneh (Milwaukee Pulaski)</strong></p> <p>Thursday night’s matchup features the two top scorers in the Milwaukee City Conference, and they’re both just juniors! Demarion has been electric for Hamilton this season, as he’s an explosive 6’3 guard with a dangerous pull-up jumper. Defenders have to pick their poison with him, as he’s quick enough to blow by if you play him too tight, but if you sag off he can knock down a jumper from three or mid-range. He’s also a walking highlight in transition as he has the explosiveness to get up and finish above the rim. Scoring 28.8 ppg this year. Abdulah is a 6’1 junior that’s so tough to keep out of the paint. His quickness off the dribble allows him to get to the rack where he can either finish or draw contact to earn a trip to the line. Does a great job of getting opposing bigs in foul trouble, and he’s an accurate shooter at the free throw line. Currently scoring 26.1 ppg and is fresh off a 43 point game against Obama SCTE.</p> <p><strong>Friday: TJ Stuttley (Onalaska) vs [player_tooltip player_id="865862" first="Noah" last="Compan"] (La Crosse Central)</strong></p> <p>Rookie vs veteran on Friday night out west. The freshman TJ Stuttley has had some big games early in his career, and is putting up an efficient 11.8 ppg. He’s a high IQ player with some length and physical abilities at 6’3. Really patient attacking the basket and does a nice job of going up balanced to ensure he finishes at a high rate. Can also take wings into the post and use his footwork to score on the block. For LC Central, [player_tooltip player_id="865862" first="Noah" last="Compan"] is a 6’5 senior who’s been a key player for a 20-1 team. A three year varsity player, he has length to finish around the basket and the physicality to defend in the post or move his feet on the perimeter. Central is very balanced offensively so he doesn’t always need to score much, but he’s proven he can when needed to. Averaging just over 10 points per game this winter.</p> <p><strong>Saturday: [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] (Arrowhead) vs Wil Beyer (Marquette)</strong></p> <p>One of the top 2023 prospects in the state, [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] already has over 1,300 career points for Arrowhead. He’s such an explosive athlete at 6’5 with the ability to slash to the basket and finish above the rim. Dangerous with off-ball cuts or taking his man with a straight line drive and using his strength to power to the basket. Adds in the ability to hit catch-and-shoot threes to be a more versatile scoring threat. He’ll take on the 6’6 Wil Beyer of Marquette who’s having a strong senior year. Offensively he can do a bit of everything. Possesses strength and footwork from the block, has a smooth mid-range jumper, and in the game I saw earlier in the year he posses a nice euro-step move that he utilizes well when attacking off the dribble. Really under control player with size and skill who’s scoring 15.8 ppg this season.</p>